Challenge Community Services spent two days in town last week meeting with families, children and support workers to find out the extent of available services to people with intellectual disabilities.

The group say they’ve “identified a lack of services” within the Tenterfield area.

“We’re just trying to get word out,” Challenge Community Services Area Manager New England/Northwest David Winnick said.

“We wanted to meet with families and let them know they don’t have to do it all themselves.

“Just because you’re not a regional centre doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be services available.”

Mr Winnick commended Tenterfield HACC for the work they are currently doing in the field.

But he conceded their services were limited.

“We typically deal with kids from eight through to older people,” Mr Winnick said.

Mr Winnick attended a careers day at Tenterfield High School earlier in the year where he was approached by people concerned by what they deem is a lack of services.

“We provide a full range of accommodation and respite services. Coming out of discussions it became apparent that no one is really providing the services.

“We also do before and after school care and vacations for kids.

“It’s often a recurring theme we see that people aren’t aware of the services or funding available to them,” he said.

The group held an afternoon session at the Tenterfield Community Hub on Thursday followed by some time at Tenterfield High School.

Challenge Community Services was established in 1958 by a small group of parents of children with disabilities in Tamworth.

Over the years they have grown to be one of the largest community support services operating in NSW.

The not-for-profit organisation say they’ll now reflect on their time and make a decision as to whether they’ll explore having a greater presence in Tenterfield.

“We are happy to do full-time up here but we need to make sure the demand is there,” Mr Winnick said.